But Sutcliffe didn't have everything his own way. Although most voices offered supportive messages - 'it's political correctness gone mad' said one - there were some shocks for the notorious killer. Some voices, it seems, were unable to forget Mr Sutcliffe's gruesome past.

'Hello, I'm a researcher for Celebrity Big Brother,' said one voice, 'and we'd love to have you on the next show. We think it would be your chance to put your side of the story. It's in the public interest, and we're not exploiting you, or your victims, in any way at all.'

Another voice claimed to be a producer for a BBC soap opera, who was looking to cast 'The next Dirty Den'.